Excelsior College is a private, non-profit, distance learning higher education institution that allows adults to finish their degree while balancing work, family, and other life responsibilities. According to alumni surveys, nearly 60% of graduates have received a promotion and or pay raise within one year of completing their degree. Excelsior is a member of the President’s Forum, a collaboration for leaders of online institutions to share best practices, to ensure students receive a quality education. The School of Business and Technology offers a wide array of associate’s degrees to master’s degrees. The business programs are IACBE accredited.
Education
Students can get their first experience of what it’s like to work in the business world, by earning an Associate’s degree in Administrative/Management Studies or dive into a Bachelor of Science in Business degree. Another excellent undergraduate option is the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business and Management. The projected growth in the health field also makes earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management, a practical choice. Classes are offered in eight-week and 15-week terms, so students can choose to focus on one class at a time in an accelerated format or take a couple of classes spread out over a traditional semester.
Ambitious students who would like to cut costs and save time can earn a joint B.S. in Business/MBA, BS in Information Technology to MBA, BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology to MBA, or B.S. in Healthcare Management/MBA.
Student Life
The typical Excelsior student is 36 years old and has their plate full with a career, family, and nearly half currently or have previously served in the military. However, they receive the support they need from dedicated advisors. Students can join their professors and peer in webinars, such as The Faces of Agile Project Management, as well as learning how to transfer previous college credits and receiving mental health advice for military personnel. The career center provides one-on-one career counseling, resume and cover letter critiques, and job search tools.
Web resources are also available on important career-related topics, such as networking, interviewing, salary negotiation, and the power of social media. Students can also take individual assessments to discover the best careers for them based on their skills, interest, values, personality, and strengths. The Portfolium is a great way for students to compile all of their accomplishments, such as class projects, writing samples, and a list of extracurricular activities, in an online platform, to send to prospective employers. Alumni and current students are featured in the Excelsior College Magazine, published biannually by the Office of Marketing.
Online Programs
Before even enrolling in classes, students can earn credit for their life experience, such as professional certifications they’ve earned, military training, exams, or by submitting portfolios with work samples. Students who have completed their undergraduate degree and who are interested in advancing their career can pursue a Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Management, or Master in Health Care Administration. Students typically complete their degree in less than three years.